In the Oct. 14 SN: 2017’s scientists to watch, duel over a real-life Brienne of Tarth, the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, long-lasting spheres of color, watermelon snow’s downside, support for the Unruh effect, polite robots and more.

Forewarning of preeclampsia

Scientists have found an early warning sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure. Pregnant women with too much of a protein called soluble endoglin in their blood have a heightened risk of preeclampsia, the researchers say.

Endoglin normally sits on the surface of blood vessels, where it plays a role in vessel dilation and facilitates blood flow. But endoglin can escape these moorings and dissolve in the blood.

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